MFDS and Local Governments to Inspect Advertising of Growth Hormone at Medical Institutions and Pharmacies

Joint Planned Inspection of Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Launched
Crackdown on Illegal Distribution of Steroid and Ephedrine Injections

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 25th that, in order to strengthen safety management of biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, it will conduct the "2025 Third Quarter Joint Planned Inspection by Medical Product Sector" with regional food and drug safety offices and local governments until the 29th.

Recently, growth hormone preparations used to treat Turner syndrome, growth hormone deficiency, and short stature have become known among parents as "height-increasing injections" or "height-boosting supplements," leading to growing concerns about excessive use and potential side effects.

Accordingly, the Ministry will inspect medical institutions and pharmacies handling growth hormone preparations to prevent misuse and abuse. The inspections will focus on whether prescription drugs are being advertised to the public through media or other means, and whether false or exaggerated advertisements about off-label uses are being distributed to an unspecified audience. If violations are identified, the Ministry will take necessary actions, such as administrative guidance, against the relevant medical institutions or pharmacies, and, if needed, wholesalers or pharmaceutical companies.

The Ministry will also crack down on the illegal distribution of steroids and ephedrine injections, which have raised social concerns due to abnormal use for purposes such as muscle enhancement, by pharmaceutical wholesalers or medical institutions. Based on the supply and return volumes of steroids and other illegally distributed drugs identified at wholesalers and medical institutions, the Ministry will intensively inspect the status of pharmaceutical receipt, sales, and use.

If violations are found at medical institutions or pharmacies, the Ministry will take necessary actions, such as administrative guidance or requesting investigations into illegal distributors, and, if needed, extend these measures to wholesalers or pharmaceutical companies.

To strengthen the safety management of cosmetics containing human cell or tissue culture fluid as raw materials, the Ministry will also inspect whether cosmetics responsible sellers comply with safety standards for human cell or tissue culture fluids. The inspections will cover donor eligibility testing, cell and tissue collection and testing, management of culture facilities and environments, and the appropriateness of safety evaluations and testing of the culture fluid. If any violations are found, administrative measures and other necessary actions will be taken.

Previously, to enhance the effectiveness of the joint planned inspection, the Ministry conducted pre-training on inspection methods for two days starting from the 13th. A Ministry official stated, "We will continue to conduct regular inspections of medical products to ensure public safety, and we will do our utmost to ensure that the public can use medical products whose quality and safety are guaranteed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.